A Stellate Ganglion Block is an injection of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) to block the sympathetic nerves located on either side of the voice box in the neck. An injection at these nerves may reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling, color changes, sweating changes in the upper extremities and may also improve mobility. This injection is typically recommended by your pain specialist for pain located in the head, neck, chest or arm caused by sympathetically maintained pain (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), causalgia (nerve injury), herpes zoster (shingles), or intractable angina (pain related to decreased blood flow to the heart). Stellate ganglion blocks are also used to see if blood flow can be improved in those patients with circulation problems related to vascular disease.

 

This procedure is almost always performed as part of a comprehensive pain management program. .